Uncategorised

Are carbs as bad for pets as everyone says?

6 October 2023

Everyone’s barking about carbohydrates

Chew on this: the case for carbohydrates

There’s a school of thought that believes ancient dogs and cats survived only on prey, and as a result modern pets shouldn’t have carbohydrates like potatoes, rice or pasta in their diets. But is this thought based in fact, or just a bunch of fluff?

It’s mostly fluff.

While dogs and cats may not necessarily need carbohydrates to survive, they have nutritional benefits that help them thrive.
Carbohydrates are important for several reasons.

Carbohydrates are digestible sugars and starch that get broken down by the body into glucose. Glucose is the main source of energy for cells in the body, particularly in the brain. Unsurprisingly, carbohydrates are a great source of sustained energy for your pet.

Something you might not realise is that fibre is a carbohydrate too. Fibre is well known for its role in gastrointestinal health. It not only influences stool quality and transit, but fermentable fibres or prebiotics also help promote a healthy gut microflora.

In addition to energy and fibre, carbohydrates often provide other nutrients like antioxidants, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.
Dogs and cats have always eaten carbs

One of the myths you might have heard is that dogs and cats can’t digest carbohydrates. The truth is domestic dogs and cats have been eating carbohydrates like grain and starch for millennia. In fact, wild dogs eat their entire prey and usually start with the gut which is often full of grains and grasses. So, we know that most dogs and cats can indeed digest carbohydrates, they’ve just got to be in the right form.

All Nosh meals and recipes are nutritionally balanced with carbohydrates like brown rice, psyllium husk fibre and potatoes, so you can be certain it’s great for your pet’s body and their brains.

Shop Nosh today

Want to learn more?

  • The genomic signature of dog domestication reveals adaptation to a starch-rich diet by E. Axelsson, A. Ratnakumar, M.L Arendt, et al. Nature. 2013;495(7441):360-364.
  • Carbohydrates in the nutrition of the dog by J. Hilton. Canadian Veterinary Journal. 1990; 31(2):128-9.

Keep reading

2 mins read

Is fish one of the secrets to shiny coats?

Is fish one of the secrets to shiny coats? A shiny coat on a dog isn’t just about looks—it’s a sign of good health. When a dog’s fur gleams in the sunlight, it reflects inner well-being. But can feeding Fido more fish help their fur look fantastic? Or is it just social media pseudo-science? Pass […]
2 mins read

Are human supplements good for dogs too?

Ever wondered if sharing your multivitamins or supplements with your pet could give them an added health boost? After all, what’s good for us is usually good for them. Right? Wrong. That’s not a fact. It’s fluff. In fact, human supplements can be harmful to our pets for a few different reasons. Some human supplements […]
2 mins read

Does a dry nose mean my dog is dehydrated?

Ever been surprised by a cold, wet, dog nose boop on your leg? We all know that dogs’ noses should be shiny and damp. But what if they’re dry? Google says it could be dehydration. What do you think? Fact or fluff? It’s a fact. Dehydration can dry out a dog’s nose, but that’s just […]
2 mins read

Can bland food work wonders for an upset tummy?

Tearing into a pillow or cardboard box. Switching diets. Parasites. Infectious diseases. All can upset dogs’ stomachs and cause vomiting, diarrhoea, reduced appetite and abdominal discomfort. When it does, many swear by the age-old remedy of bland chicken and rice. But does this work, or is it just another dog park myth? Let’s find the […]
2 mins read

Are table scraps a suitable diet for dogs?

Are table scraps a suitable diet for dogs? Do you ever wonder why you buy dog-specific food when your dog is convinced that your human meals are much more appealing? They’ll stare at you with those big puppy eyes as you try to eat, begging for a taste of human food. You may even be […]